The international standards authority for DVD technology—which encompasses HD DVD—has reportedly given its formal approval to an extension of the HD DVD format that entails a 51 GB single-sided disc with three layers.

The technical specs extension was submitted to the DVD Forum last spring by primary HD DVD proponent Toshiba. It would enable HD DVD to match rival format Blu-ray Disc’s much-touted superior capacity levels (50 GB). The DVD Forum approved the extension Aug. 31, according to Screen Digest in London, which first reported the action last weekend.

A single-sided, triple-layer combo hybrid of HD DVD and standard DVD (to be playable on current DVD players) also could be approved by the DVD Forum in the next couple of months.

The apparent go-ahead for Toshiba’s 51 GB disc “is good news for the HD DVD camp, allowing it to compete directly with rival Blu-ray Disc’s dual-layer 50 GB disc,” according to Screen Digest, which is also a media consultancy.
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